Meet Ötzi, the Iceman

Meet Ötzi, the Iceman

Ötzi is the best-known Iceman in the world. He is 5.000 years old and is a mummy. He lives in Bolzano, a small town in northern Italy, on the border between Switzerland and Austria and he has his own museum. In Ice Tech we recommend you make a visit and you meet him.

Bolzano is a beautiful Italian city where three civilizations coexist: Italian, German and Ladin. Its towns are charming, they are surrounded by the typical borderland nature. This region, in which the German and Italian languages are mixed up in the streets, has a beautiful cathedral. The square where the cathedral is located is Piazza Walther/ Walther Platz. It is a large space surrounded by restaurants and cafes where you can have a cold drink served with Ice Tech ice. It will surely improve your experience!

l'uomo del ghiaccio

Bolzano is known for its famous Iceman, Ötzi. He is considered to be the oldest real European mummy, which belongs to the Copper Age.

He was discovered by a German marriage on September 19th, in 1991, in Alpi Venoste while they were touring around. After notifying the authorities and conducting a further study, some exciting things about the world’s most famous iceman were discovered:

  •  When he died he was about 45 years.
  • He suffered from some diseases: lactose intolerance and arthritis.
  • He had his skin tattooed, probably for religious rituals.
  • He wore the typical clothes and weapons from his time: animal fur and leather.
  • He fed on pollen and goats.

It is estimated that he died in 3,255 died in B.C. His remains rest in a museum built only for him: The South Tyrol Archaeology Museum, in Bolzano, where he is in typical polar circles room (-6 degrees Celsius and 98% humidity).

There are several theories about his death, but the murder seems to be the closest one to reality. After taking several X-rays and tests to the skeleton, they found he had a hole in the scapula caused by an arrow.

It is fascinating! Isn’t it?